By JOHN DELLACONTRADA

UB will help accelerate the development of advanced
manufacturing technologies in Western New York by lending its
expertise and resources to a new advanced manufacturing institute
announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo as part of the Buffalo Billion
initiative.

The institute, operated by nonprofit engineering services
research and development company EWI, will support economic
development by shaping the future of manufacturing through
innovative technology solutions. Through this initiative,
businesses will partner with the institute to solve manufacturing
and production issues, and develop and commercialize technologies
that improve product performance, quality, reliability and cost
competitiveness.

UB will partner with EWI to support the institute’s
efforts by:

Providing institute customers with access to the
university’s expertise and technical capabilities.

Collaborating on joint events, such as trainings and
seminars.

Crafting joint proposals for government funding.

Partnering on experiential learning opportunities for UB
students, such as internships, fellowships and capstone
projects.

Exploring opportunities to commercialize UB technologies.

At a lecture series yesterday hosted by UB’s New York
State Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics, speakers
— including leadership from the Western New York Regional
Economic Development Council (REDC), Empire State Development
(ESD), UB and EWI — discussed the institute’s launch,
technology focus areas and how regional organizations can
benefit.

In a separate announcement yesterday, Cuomo said EWI was chosen
to operate the Advanced Manufacturing Institute, which will be
housed at 847 Main St. The building was purchased by the Buffalo
Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) with an $8 million Buffalo Billion
grant from ESD. The agreement calls for BNMC to provide, at no
cost, space to house EWI for its startup operations. In addition,
New York State will invest $45 million of the Buffalo Billion
toward machinery, equipment, future facility needs and
operations.

Praxair, Sherex Fastening Solutions, The InVentures Group,
Harper International and Jiffy-tite Company will be among the
institute’s founding members. Technology focus areas will
include flexible automation and controls, advanced materials and
testing, additive manufacturing and advanced fabrication.

Yesterday’s announcements underscored the importance of
collaboration among the institute, UB and local industry —
emphasizing the benefits realized by regional companies,
organizations and the overall community.

“Research universities are hubs of invention and discovery
— institutions whose knowledge and creative energy can be
channeled to benefit society,” said President Satish K.
Tripathi, co-chair of the Western New York REDC. “With strong
research programs in fields from materials science to advanced
computing, UB is well-positioned to support the new
institute’s mission. We will play an integral role in
partnering with the institute and its founding companies to develop
new manufacturing methods, innovative new materials and new testing
technologies to spur growth of high-tech manufacturing in Western
New York.”

Alexander Cartwright, vice president for research and economic
development, noted that with the REDC’s support, “EWI
worked with local industry for months to ensure that the institute
will meet the needs that businesses have today and equip them for
the challenges they will face tomorrow. Implementing a shared
vision for a revived manufacturing base in Western New York carves
a path for long-term collaboration and synergies to boost our
economic impact.”

The institute will enable new product and process development
with particular emphasis on the region’s growth sectors, such
as advanced manufacturing, machinery, food processing, chemicals,
medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

“This initiative will allow us to build world-class
capacity in Western New York for EWI customers here and around the
world,” said Henry Cialone, president and CEO of EWI.
“The strategy to accelerate the growth of specialized
manufacturing subsectors will provide Western New York with a
competitive advantage.”

Added EWI project manager Steve Levesque, who recently was named
operations manager for the advanced manufacturing institute:
“We’re excited to be in Buffalo. We are pleased to
offer a range of services that capitalize on the region’s
existing resources and expertise.”

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